Paddle wheel for tanning apparatus



Jung 24, 1930. l l. HoRwEEN' PADDLE WHEEL Fon munis@ APPARATUS Filed July 5, 192B Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES ISIDORE I-IORWEEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PADDLE WHEEL FOR TANNING APPARATUS Application filed July 5,

This invention relates to improvements in paddle wheels, and more especially paddle wheels for tanning apparatus.

In apparatus of that kind, it is customary to provide a paddle-wheel in the tanning vat to agitate the hides and circulate them through the liquid. In the devices heretofore known dihiculty has been encountered due to the fact that the hides sometimes matted together, thus hindering their circulation through the liquid and causing uneven action by the liquid.

One of the features of my device is to overcome the objection noted and provide a superior paddle-Wheel that operates to prevent matting of the hides and serves to keep them opened out. My improved paddle- Wheel also produces a better circulation of the hides through the liquid.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 isa view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, and Fig. 2 is a view taken as indicated by the line 2 of Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, 10 indicates a semicylindrical vat as is commonly used in tanning apparatus, and 11 indicates a liquid therein.

Rotatably mounted in bearings 12 on the end walls 1()a of the vat is a paddle-wheel comprising the circular end disks 13 carrying between them at the circumference the radial boards or paddles 14. The particular feature of this invention is the notching of the outer edges of the paddles 14, as indicated by 141, to provide the intervening teeth or projections 14h.

The serrated edges of the paddles assist in disentangling and straightening out the hides in the liquid, thus aiding in their movement through the liquid. In a sense, it may be said that the projections or teeth 141b act like fingers to engage or claw portions of hides that have become more or less wadded or matted together, and act to disentangle them and spread them out, thus aiding in the tanning process. `With the edges of the paddles smooth, it has been found that sometimes one or more hides will 1928. Serial No. 290,486.

form more or less into a ball and remain at the top of the liquid at one side of the paddle-wheel and merely turn over and over without opening out and moving through the liquid. This is prevented, however, by providing the projections 149 contemplated by my invention as they operate to claw into the surface of such a ball and engage portions of the hides, thus loosening up the ball and pulling out and straightening the hides.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by letters patent, is:

1. Tanning apparatus having a rotatable paddle wheel carrying paddles with serrated edges.

2. Tanning apparatus having a rotatable paddle wheel carrying paddles with projections at the outer edges.

3. Tanning apparatus having a rotatable paddle wheel carrying paddles with projections at the outer edges and intervening notches.

4. Tanning apparatus having a rotatable paddle wheel carrying paddles with lingerlike projections at the outer edges.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and ailixed my seal this 29th day of June, 1928.

ISIDORE HORWEEN. 

